Recovery framework
Last updated on: august 30, 2021
our school
The Avalon Academy (Avalon), a non-profit, non-public (K-12) school, certified by the California Department of Education, serves pupils with severe physical and communication challenges, who require ongoing assistance for all aspects of their daily living skills. All of our students require a 2-person-lift during transitions in/out of wheelchairs/adaptive equipment and toileting. All of our students are designated 100% Special Circumstances Instructional Support in their respective IEPs. The Avalon Academy currently serves 23 students.
The Avalon Academy operates in three adjunct facilities (818-822-824 Mahler Road, Burlingame) of approximately 10,000sq.ft., in 15 classrooms and therapy rooms. Our reorganized premises, allow for ample space to practice physical distancing.
Our school has been open for in person instruction on a Dual Learning Platform since November 2, 2020.Since January 1, 2021, we have been operating full time, 9am-3pm. As of July 6, 2021 Avalon returned to 100% in-person instruction. Avalon continues to offer a 100% virtual learning platform for medically fragile students.
vaccination
All of our staff members and students older than 12 years old are vaccinated.
Current Educational Model – In-Person Instruction & Virtual Learning Platform
The Avalon Academy currently serves 23 students. In-Person Instruction (IPI)
20 students participate
Weather permitting Avalon maximizes outdoor activities (Avalon Garden and Bayshore Trail)
All meetings (staff, IEP, etc.) are conducted on a virtual platform
Virtual Learning Platform (VLP)
3 students participate on a 100% Virtual Platform
2 out of the 3 students receive in-[person therapy services
Cleaning and Disinfection
The Avalon Academy is using surgical grade disinfectants (CaviCide, Virex Tb)
Each area and room in the building is equipped with a hand sanitizer dispenser
Table surfaces are disinfected after each use
Changing tables are disinfected after each use
All school premises are cleaned and disinfected daily, after instruction
Windows and doors are kept opened throughout the day for improved ventilation
All hepa filters in our HVAC system are replaced every four (4) months
Each room is equipped with an air purifier
Groups
Weather permitting Avalon maximizes outdoor activities (Avalon Garden and Bayshore Trail)
During class activities the number of students in a given group do not exceed 7
Students receive Specialized Academic Instruction, Related Services, and Special Circumstances Instructional Assistance based on their individual IEPs
Related services are provided in separate therapy rooms, 1 therapist per 1-2 students per room
Entrance, Egress, and Movement within the School
Parents, caregivers and drivers will not be allowed in the building
At 9am students will be greeted by staff members in the designated outside area
At 3pm, students will be available for pickup in the designated outside area
Face Coverings and Other Essential Protective Gear
Avalon provides personal protective equipment for staff members and students
Employees are required to wear facemasks at all times, except in outdoor settings and while eating or drinking. If an outbreak should occur, masks will be required.
Students are encouraged to wear face-masks (most of our students have sensory and respiratory challenges)
Employees are required to wear disposable gloves during meal-times and toileting
Health Screenings for Students and Staff
Students and staff are instructed not to come on site if experiencing any C19 related symptoms.
Screening Questionnaire
Screening Questionnaire
Symptoms
Do you have:
Temperature 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher?
Sore throat?
New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (for students with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline)?
Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain?
New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever?
New loss of taste or smell?
Muscle or body aches unrelated to physical activity?
Close Contact/Potential Exposure
In the past 14 days, have you had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19?
If yes, to any of the above questions, student/employee will be sent home.
“Disclaimer: The purpose of symptom screening is to identify individuals who may have COVID-19 and exclude those individuals from a setting to reduce the risk of transmission to others. Remember, individuals can have Covid-19 and not experience any symptoms. Symptom screening does not assess whether it is safe for an individual student to attend therapy or whether a student has an increased risk for severe illness if they develop COVID-19. Symptom screenings also do not provide enough information to diagnose someone with COVID-19. Symptom screenings will only identify that a person may have an illness, not that the illness is COVID-19. Many of the symptoms of COVID-19 are also common in other childhood illnesses like the common cold, the flu, or seasonal. ”
Health and Hygiene Practices
Employees are required to practice at least hourly hand-washing routines, and before/after working with a student
Employees are required to conduct effective cleaning and disinfecting routines throughout the day
Employees are required to wear disposable gloves during meal-times and toileting
Visitors will be pre-approved/scheduled and will agree to all safety protocols while on site
Identification and Tracing of Contacts
Avalon follows the requirements of SMCH for reporting, cases, contact tracing and communication plans (Cases, Contact Tracing in the School Community).
Case: A Case refers to a person who tests positive
Close Contact: A Close Contact refers to a person who is within 6 feet of a confirmed case for more than 15 minutes, regardless of face covering use
Indirect Contact: Indirect Contacts are people who may have been in proximity to a Close Contact
Isolation Room Should anyone begin to exhibit symptoms while at school, he/she will be escorted to the Isolation Room and provided with Covid-19 rapid antigen test. Parents will be notified and are expected to arrange pick up for the student within one (1) hour of the call. The following decision tree for results of the rapid test (as provided by CDPH) will be followed.
CDC updated it’s recommendation that fully vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 be tested 3-5 days after exposure and wear a mask in indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
Physical Distancing
Students (in their wheelchairs) will practice Physical Distancing throughout the day
Teachers, Therapists and Assistants will practice Physical Distancing throughout the day when interacting with non-student members
Teachers, Therapists and Assistants will practice Physical Distancing as possible throughout the day when interacting with students
Maureen Howard Kiely, RN #475947, maureen@theavalonacademy.org
Staff Training and Family Education
Staff members participate in bi-weekly, (or as needed), review and training programs addressing safety procedures/practices, hygiene procedures/practices and proper use of PPP lead by Avalon’s Coordinator of Student Health, Maureen Howard Kiely, RN #475947, maureen@theavalonacademy.org
Families and caregivers will receive detailed instruction via email addressing safety procedures/practices, hygiene procedures/practices and proper use of PPP
Testing of Students and Staff
The Avalon Academy is using PMH Laboratory for on-site COVID-19 testing
Staff members participate in biweekly, on-site COVID-19 testing
Students participate in biweekly, on-site COVID-19 testing
Rapid antigen testing (Binax) will be available on site should a student or staff member exhibit any symptoms of Covid-19
Triggers for Transitioning to Distance Learning
The decision to close Avalon and transition to distance learning will be based upon various factors, including but not limited to:
San Mateo County Health and/or the State of California determines that school closure is warranted
A significant percentage of staff are out sick and our safety plan cannot be implemented due to lack of personnel
At least 2 or more cases have occurred within a 14 day period and more than 5% of the Avalon school community is infected
If we have to close our school, parents and staff will be notified via email communication. This notification will include the distance learning plan, start date, and possible end date. Confidentiality will always be maintained should an Avalon community member test positive for C-19
Communication Plans
Avalon will follow the requirements of SMCH for reporting, contact tracing and communication plans (Cases, Contact Tracing in the School Community).
